a green giant. ♪ ho ho ho ♪ green giant >>> an american man is heading back home to his family after he was held hostage for months in mexico. dominick dinatali is home. >> johnny is chained as a dog to his bunk bed. that's one of the arresting images. the mexicans surprised everyone and released him on friday. his father is driving him across the country to their home in florida. they are expected to arrive christmas eve. he spent the night in brownsville, texas, just across the board from where he has been health. during his detention, he received threats by drug cartel members and endure the inhumane living conditions including being chained to his bet. his mother says that he suffers from a cough. he suffers from ptsd. >> he is innocent. we've always said it. and the mexican system proved that. however, down in the next stage, you will see that there should be modifications to some laws and some things because this should not have happened. >> reporter: the release did not come about because of the pressure from the state department and congress. congresswoman. >> i just say amen